Top 5 Fourth Quarter Collapses in NFL Regular Season Games
Summary
A recent Arizona Cardinals loss, where a fumble before scoring led to a last-second defeat, highlights some of the most stunning fourth-quarter collapses in NFL history. These include the 2022 Cleveland Browns, who held a 99.9% win probability with a 13-point lead and under two minutes left, only to lose to the New York Jets. Similarly, the 2020 Atlanta Falcons blew a 15-point lead in the final five minutes against the Dallas Cowboys, capped by a baffling failure to recover an onside kick.
Other historic meltdowns are the 2010 “Miracle at the New Meadowlands,” where the Philadelphia Eagles erased a 21-point deficit against the New York Giants with a walk-off punt return, and the 1992 Houston Oilers’ 17-point collapse against the Buffalo Bills, which previewed an even more famous playoff loss. These games all demonstrate that no lead is safe, as catastrophic shifts in momentum are fueled by critical errors and a failure to close out games.
It was a collapse of epic proportions as the Arizona Cardinals blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, losing to the Titans 22-21 on a last-second field goal. Unfortunately for Emari Demercado the blame falls on him as he committed the biggest cardinal football sin by dropping the ball before crossing the goal line. With that in mind, here are five of the worst fourth-quarter implosions in NFL regular-season history.
1. New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns (Week 2, 2022)
Date: September 18, 2022
Final Score: Jets 31, Browns 30
Blown Lead: Browns led 30–17 with 1:55 remaining
In a league full of improbable finishes, this one stands alone. The Browns, under head coach Kevin Stefanski, seemed to have the game well in hand late in the fourth quarter. Nick Chubb’s third rushing touchdown gave Cleveland a 13-point lead, and the Jets had no timeouts left. The Browns could’ve sealed the win simply by kneeling once they got the first down — but Chubb scored instead.
That decision unleashed chaos.
Joe Flacco and the Jets offense — left for dead all afternoon — went into turbo mode. Flacco hit Corey Davis for a 66-yard touchdown on a defensive bust, cutting the lead to 30–24. The Jets then executed a perfect onside kick recovery, stunning the home crowd. Two minutes later, Flacco connected with rookie Garrett Wilson for another touchdown, giving New York an improbable one-point lead. Cleveland still had a chance to answer, but Jacoby Brissett threw an interception on the ensuing drive.
Why it’s historic
- The Browns led by 13 points with under 2 minutes left and possession — something no NFL team had blown in over 2,200 games since 2001.
- Win probability: Cleveland 99.9%.
- Nick Chubb’s decision to score became a teaching tape for situational awareness.
Aftermath
The collapse epitomized the Browns’ ongoing culture issues — talented roster, catastrophic late-game discipline. For the Jets, it was one of the most improbable wins in franchise history and a rare feel-good moment in an otherwise inconsistent season.
2. Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys (Week 2, 2020)
Date: September 20, 2020
Final Score: Cowboys 40, Falcons 39
Blown Lead: Falcons led 39–24 with under five minutes left
If there’s a franchise synonymous with blown leads, it’s the Atlanta Falcons. Just a few seasons after their infamous 28–3 Super Bowl disaster, Atlanta added another entry to their heartbreak highlight reel — this time in a regular-season shootout in Dallas. By all metrics, the Falcons had the game locked up. They forced four Cowboys fumbles in the first half and built a 20–0 lead early. Even when Dallas mounted a mini-rally, Atlanta still led by 15 points with under five minutes left. Then the meltdown began.
Dak Prescott led two lightning-quick touchdown drives, converting both two-point conversions to cut the lead to 39–37. Still, Atlanta could’ve sealed it by recovering the ensuing onside kick.
What followed was one of the most baffling special teams failures in modern NFL history. Dallas kicker Greg Zuerlein’s onside kick spun sideways like a slow-moving top. Atlanta’s “hands team” bizarrely just stood and watched as the ball rolled ten yards — seemingly unaware they could recover it before that. Dallas pounced, got possession, and Zuerlein hit the game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired.
Why it’s unforgettable
- The Falcons became the first team in NFL history to lose despite scoring 39+ points, committing 0 turnovers, and forcing 3+ turnovers.
- Win probability peaked at 99.9% for Atlanta.
- The blunder was so humiliating it immediately drew “28–3” comparisons.
Aftermath
Dan Quinn’s Falcons never recovered; he was fired later that season. The game became a symbol of Atlanta’s inability to close, even in the regular season.
3. New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles (2010) – “The Miracle at the New Meadowlands”
Date: December 19, 2010
Final Score: Eagles 38, Giants 31
Blown Lead: Giants led 31–10 with 7:28 remaining
This one might be the most replayed regular-season collapse in NFL history. The Giants were up 21 points late in the fourth quarter, and with Michael Vick under center, the Eagles’ offense looked overwhelmed for most of the day. Then, something clicked — and Vick delivered one of the most electrifying closing stretches the league has ever seen.
Vick threw two quick touchdown passes, then added a long scramble that set up another score. The Giants’ defense had no answer for his mobility. With under a minute left, the game was tied 31–31, and New York’s offense stalled again. That set up the infamous punt heard ’round the world. Matt Dodge was instructed to punt the ball out of bounds, but he didn’t. He kicked it right to DeSean Jackson, who muffed it briefly, recovered, and sliced through the Giants’ special teams for a 65-yard, walk-off punt return touchdown as time expired.
Why it’s legendary
- The collapse flipped the NFC East race; the Giants missed the playoffs, while the Eagles clinched the division.
- It was the first punt return walk-off touchdown in NFL history.
- The term “Miracle at the Meadowlands II” was coined, recalling the 1978 Joe Pisarcik fumble against the Eagles.
Aftermath
Tom Coughlin was visibly furious on the sideline, and punter Matt Dodge was cut shortly after. For Giants fans, it was trauma all over again — another Eagles miracle at their expense.
4. Houston Oilers vs. Buffalo Bills – The Original “Comeback” (Regular Season Edition)
Date: December 23, 1992
Final Score: Bills 27, Oilers 24 (OT)
Blown Lead: Oilers led 20–3 entering the fourth quarter
Everyone remembers the 1993 AFC Wild Card game — the legendary 32-point comeback by the Bills over Houston. But just one week before that, in the regular season finale, Buffalo and Houston actually staged a “preview version” of that collapse.
In Week 17 of the 1992 regular season, the Oilers dominated the Bills through three quarters. Warren Moon had already thrown for over 250 yards, and Houston’s run-and-shoot offense looked unstoppable. Buffalo, playing without Jim Kelly, leaned on backup quarterback Frank Reich — yes, the same man who would later lead the historic playoff comeback.
Just like the playoff game to come, Reich found his rhythm in the fourth quarter, connecting with Don Beebe and James Lofton on key drives. The Bills erased the 17-point deficit with clutch throws and a late field goal to force overtime, where Steve Christie nailed the game-winner.
Why it’s memorable
- The Oilers lost back-to-back weeks to the same team in eerily similar fashion, both featuring fourth-quarter implosions.
- It served as the harbinger for the most famous playoff comeback ever.
- The collapse destroyed the Oilers’ confidence heading into the postseason, where they suffered the ultimate humiliation.
Legacy
This regular-season collapse proved lightning can strike twice — and sometimes, it hits harder the second time around.
5. Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals (Week 2, 2022)
Final Score: Cardinals 29, Raiders 23 (OT)
Blown Lead: Raiders led 20–0 at halftime; 23–7 entering the fourth quarter
The 2022 Raiders under Josh McDaniels became synonymous with blown leads, but none were more stunning than their Week 2 collapse against Arizona. Through three quarters, Derek Carr was efficient, the defense harassed Kyler Murray, and Allegiant Stadium was rocking. Then, the fourth quarter happened — and Kyler Murray happened.
Murray orchestrated one of the wildest comebacks in recent memory, using his legs and improvisational magic to convert multiple impossible plays. He extended one two-point conversion play for over 20 seconds before darting into the end zone. The Raiders’ offense went flat, repeatedly punting as Arizona chipped away. In overtime, the meltdown became complete. Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow fumbled after a catch, and Arizona’s Byron Murphy scooped it up for a game-winning touchdown.
Why it’s memorable
- The Raiders had a 99.8% win probability entering the fourth quarter.
- It was the first of several multi-score leads Las Vegas would blow that season, exposing deep issues in McDaniels’ coaching and team culture.
- The collapse effectively derailed the Raiders’ playoff hopes before October.
Conclusion
What unites these unforgettable fourth-quarter implosions is not just the scoreboard, but the psychology behind them. Every great collapse shares the same ingredients — conservative play-calling, prevent defenses that prevent nothing, and the subtle shift from playing to win to playing not to lose. These games stand as lasting reminders: in the NFL, the fourth quarter doesn’t just test skill — it tests nerves and no game is over until there are zeroes on the time clock.
